“Kung hei fat choi!” That’s for January 31st, 2014.
Aha! As a Tiger, I will have 11 favorable months and 1 neutral month this Year of the Green Wooden Horse after the past years of dismal predictions. Thank you Horse!
Clean house! Sweep away last year’s bad luck! Make room for the good luck of 4712. DO NOT sweep the floor on New Year’s Day! Don’t want good luck be swept away.
Aha! MUST HAVE “lucky food!”
“Angpao” Envelopes
Have red “angpao” envelopes ready for the kids, red lantern or red paper marked with messages of good fortune, health and long life. Red brings good luck. Legendary monster Nian who used to eat children and harvests on New Year’s Day is scared of the red color.
Chinese Red Lanters
Our restaurant, Coral Garden in Banawe, will be frequented by dragon dancers. Aha! We tucked away our monetary donation in high places so that the dragon will help us reach new heights in business.
Families get together on New Year’s Eve. Initially, food is served on the altar with pictures of deceased family members. Permission from the dead is asked before starting dinner, using castanet-shaped wood to get the answer. All lights are on, windows and doors widely open until past midnight, to let in the good luck. Fireworks and firecrackers are lit, the shattering noise warding off the evil spirits.
On the 14th of February 2014, the celebration ends with music, dance and the Lantern Parade in Binondo.
Coral Garden Restaurant 